New parents often mistakenly pen down their child’s name on the birth certificate. Most of them do not know that this practice is prohibited. When they go about claiming a government benefit or scheme, the government agencies reject their request. This is why the competent authority discourages this practice of the parents or any other relatives.

There is another scenario, wherein a typo error in the name of the child exists in the birth certificate. And the parents, being inattentive, keep it for a decade or more. But, a small error can lead to rejections in claiming many benefiting schemes and services. For example- your application for a passport can be disqualified.

There is good news for you if your child is above 18. You can place a request for rectifying the error.

So! What should you do?

It is a high time when you require the assistance of an expert advocate or outsourcer. However, you can fill the non-availability certificate for birth. Most probably, you have to repeat the birth certificate application process from the scratch. This is how you can apply for correcting the error in the birth certificate of your child. Here are a few tips to get it rectified:

Steps to apply for changing name in your birth certificate in India: 

It’s worth mentioning that the authority of issuing a birth certificate is in the hands of the Municipal Corporation in the cities and Sarpanch in villages. Besides, the paramedical staff also issues a birth certificate.

1. Apply to Municipal Corporation: Since you need to apply for rectifying the name, you should visit the Municipal Corporation in your area. There,

• Write a letter, mentioning the details in your old birth certificate.
• Underscore the new details to replace with the old one.
• Do write a brief note on why you require that change.

2. Enclose supporting documents: Your application should enclose some valid proofs to support it. Such documents are called supporting documents. Here is a checklist of those documents:

• A notarized affidavit (in case you want the name to be changed)
• Deed changing surname (if you want to change the parent’s name)
• Hospital discharge certificates (if you want to change the date of birth)
• What can you do if your application for changing name is rejected?

Once you submit the application with supporting documents, the registrar will verify. He may or may not approve your request. However, the submission of all valid documents leads to approval. If, due to any reason, your request is disapproved, you can file a petition called “Writ of Mandamus” in the High Court. This petition is filed to seek the reason of rejection by the Registrar.

3. Publish an ad: If you receive the approval, visit the local newspaper office.

• Fill the form of an ad about changing the name.
• Pay for publishing a small advertisement under the “public notice”.
• Keep three copies of that advertisement with you.

4. Publish in the official Gazette: This step is a step to legalise your name. So, you have to publish it in the Government Gazette (Official Gazette, Official Journal, Official Newspaper, Official Monitor or Official Bulletin). It is a periodical publication that has been legalized to air public and legal notices. You can approach the State Gazette Office with:

• Three photocopies of the change of name application along with supporting documents
• Copy of the affidavit
• Copy of the newspaper advertisement
• Demand draft to pay the requisite fee
• Attested passport sized photograph of the applicant
• The content to be published in the official gazette

These documents should be self-attested and have the sign of one witness.

5. Processing Time: As far as the processing time is concerned, you have to wait for two months at least, from the date of application to get it published. Once it is published, pick up the copies of the published Gazette.